Automatic shaft brake device



Ma) 6 1941. vQ msER I 2,240,932

AUTOMATIC SHAFT BRAKE DEVICE Filed July 24. 1940 7 Q 6 Q 35 8 41% J g D 9 33 25 Q J J 3/ 37 k i S [7 5 35 3 5 1 8 ll/ll,

INVENTUR WWW Patented May 6, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC snar'r BRAKE Device Vernon Kinser, Butterfleld, Mo. Application July 24, 1940, Serial No. 347,244

11 Claims. I (01. 192-8) This invention relates generally to power transmission devices and has more particularly reference to an automatic shaft brake device.

By an automatic shaft brake, I have specific reference to a power transmission device including controlling and controlled members, as driving and driven shafts orthe like, wherein movement of the controlling member is necessary to permit and concurrently eii'ect or permit motivation of the controlled member.

More specifically, my invention relates to a shaft brake employing a combination of frictional restraint and direct torque resistance to effect its purpose, which device, in some of its several well known forms, as heretofore employed, for example, in elevator hoists and an,- tomotive steering-gears, may be called an irreversible or self-locking gear, as embodied in a worm gear constructed in such a manner that manipulation or semi-manipulation of the worm is necessary to permit rotatlon'of its mating gear-wheel, the lock being efiected by the friction between the'teeth of the gear-wheel and the worm, which serves to normally hold the gearwheel against rotation.

Obviously, however, whenever the gear -wheel is carrying a load; the friction between the worm and the wheel is increased proportionately, and

' hence, in order to release, the worm, as may be said, from its frictional restraint in order to move the wheel, it is requisite to apply sufficient force to overcome the friction between the worm and wheel, and then to add to that force the effort required to efiect the desired motivation of the load carried by the wheel, and this condition obtains, with consequent loss of energy required to release the worm from the wheel, whether, as in a hoist, the load is being raised or lowered or whether, as in an automotive steering-gear, the car is being turned, or straightened from a turn, and the like.

My present invention has hence for its prime" object the provision of a-device of the kind described wherein the controlledmember may be restrained against motion which would tend to occur independently of actuation of the controlling member, motivation of the controlled member being wholly under the control of the controlling member, the controlled motion of the controlled member being effected, however, responsively to actuation of the controlling member in the desired direction, with merely a mini- -mum holding or driving torque, that is to say,

a substantially less effort than would be required to drive a worm from its frictional lock with its gear-wheel.

And with the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings '(one sheet)- rior provides a chamber 43, the housing A being composed of the washer I, and a pair of opposed housing-members i, 2. The housing-members i, 2 are provided with flanges i1, i8, respectively, so that the washer l and the housing-memhers I, 2, may be rigidly fixed or secured to some available stationary part as the housing of an automotive steering-gear 8, a fragment of which is shown, by means of asuitable number of fastening elements or bolts 4, best seen in Figure l.

The housing-members I, 2 are equipped with respective central axially aligned bores 3 coincident with the axis of the washer I of the housing A, and are also provided with a pair of friction faces 5, 6, respectively,-inwardly presented by the housing-members l, 2, as best seen in Figure 1.

Interposed between the housing-members I, 2 is a corresponding pair of complementary braking elements or braking-members 45, 46, The braking-members 45, 46 are disposed for respec- -tive operative" engagement with the friction faces 5, 6, as also clearly seen in Figure '1.

Connected to the steering wheel of an autoas it may be designated, the drive-shaft C. The

the threaded members or screws 2|, 22, respectively. The member I3 is provided with a lug 9 suitably projecting between the screws 2|, 22 so that the member l3, being rotatable on the hub 41, can be turned or moved to different positions relative to the member M by adjusting the screws 2|, 22, as best seen in Figure 3.

The members l3, H are each provided with a circumferentially spaced series of tangential actuating cam faces l2, respectively, and preferably three in number, the tangential axes of the several cam faces being oppositely disposed to the tangential axes of the several cam faces I 2, as best seen in Figures 2, 4, respec-.

tively.

Disposed between the braking-members 45, 46 is two series of circumferentially spaced shoes 29, 30, and numbering the same as the cam faces l2, the springs 59 being disposed suitably between the shoes 29, 30 for yieldingly separating the shoes 29 from the shoes 30, best seen in Figure 1. The shoes 29, 38 are provided respectively with the protuberant knobs or friction surfaces 3|, 32 or otherwise adapted for frictional cocam faces 35, 36, respectively, the cam faces 35,

36 being equally disposed, as may be said, or

parallel with respect to the'cam faces l2, re-

spectively, as best seen in Figures 2, 4.

Between the cam faces II and the'cam faces 35 is disposed the balls 21, being yieldingly positioned, as may be said, or yieldingly held between the cam faces I andthe cam faces 35 by means of the springs 33, which are seated'suitably on the .cam faces 35. In a similar manner, the balls 28 are yieldingly positioned between the cam faces l2 and the cam faces 36 bymeans of the springs 34, for purposes soon to appear.

- The controlled element of the device compromises a rotatable element or, as it may be designated, a driven-shaft B, disposed within the chamber 43 between the braking-members 45, 46. The driven-shaft B is provided with three complementary arcuate members or lugs l0 disposed for selective operative engagement with the shoes 29, 30, best seen in Figures 2, 4, so that the balls 21, 28 will be utilized alternatively so as to effect torque-transmission between the drive-shaft C and the driven-shaft B, which torque-transmission will cause the shoes 29 or 30, as the case may be, to become frictionally engaged with the ring 23 or 24 for movement thereof, unless otherwise restrained, in unison with and by the drive-shaft C and the driven-shaft B,'the latter being rotatively supported in the bore 3 of the housingmember 2, and extending for connecting to the actuating elements of a steering-gear or some driving machine, as the case may be.

In actual operation the rings 23, 24 arejournaled by the shoes 29, 30, respectively, and the cam faces |2 should be so disposed circumferentially with respect to each other so as to effect a slight lost-motion or movement of the driveeshaft C relatively to the driven-shaft B, to alternative actuation of the shoes 29, 30. Such lost-motion, however, could be so adjusted by means of the screws 2|, 22 so as to be practically non-exist'ant, and, yet, wear between the shoes 29, 38 and the rings 23, 24, respectively, would cause a relative amount of lost-motion, which could be eliminated, as desired, by means of the screws 2|, 22.

The shoes 29 or 30 are caused to become frictionally engaged with the ring 23 or 24, respectively, whenever the driven-shaft B is caused to rotate in either direction against a rotative bias from the drive-shaft C, for then the balls 21 or 28, due to the tangential axes of the cam faces 35 or cam faces I2, 36, effect a torque-responsive outward pressure of the shoes 29 or 38 against the ring 23 or 24', for, in turn, eifecting frictional engagement between the driven-shaft B and the ring 23 or 24 for movement thereof, unless otherwise restrained, in unison with and by the drive-shaft C and the driven-shaft B, the mechanisms contained within th rings 23, 24 and including the balls 21, 28 and the co-operating elements, forming, as may be said, two sets of torque-transmission elements operable in opposite directions. I

Extending inwardly from the bore 58 of the braking-member is a finger 48, which is provided with a knob 56 suitably rounded for en-. gagement with the bore 54 of the link 52, the ends of the link 52 being in operative engagement with a lug l8 and an end wall of th pocket l5, respectively, for solidly connecting the braking-member 45 to the drive-shaft C and the driven-shaft B, by means of the link 52 as a diflerentialing element, in a clockwise direction. Disposed between the finger 48 and 2. lug I'D is the spring 50 suitably disposed for yieldingly connecting the braking-member 45 to the drivenshaft B in a counterclockwise direction.

In a similar manner, the braking-member 46 is provided with an inwardly extending finger 49,

which is provided with a knob 51 for engagement with the bore of the link 53, the ends of the link 53-being in operative engagement with a lug l0 and an end wall of'the pocket |6, respectively, for solidly connecting the braking-member '46 to the drive-shaft C and the driven-shaft B,

by means of the link 53 as a difierentialing element, in 'a counterclockwise direction. Disposed between the finger 49 and a lug Ill is the spring 5 suitably disposed for yieldingly connecting the braking-member 46 to the driven-shaft B in a clockwise direction. The connections being such that, as may be said, the braking-members 45, 46 are solidly differentially connected to the drive-shaft CY and the driven-shaft B in opposite directions with respect to each other, and yieldingly connected to the driven-shaft B in opposite directions reversed relatively to the directions in which the braking-members 45, 46 are solidly connected, as best seen in Figures 3, 6.

The rings 23, 24 are each provided with a circumferentially spaced series'of helical pockets 31, 38, respectively, and preferably three in number. In each of the pockets 31, is mounted a ball 4| suitably seated on a spring 39 disposed between the end walls of the pockets 31 and the balls 4| for normally urging the latter outwardly of the pockets 31 for wedging each ball 4| between the inner wall of the pockets 31, and the The balls 4|, 42 and the co-operating elements,

as the case may be, forming, as may be said,.a pair of ratchets or one-way clutches operable in opposite directions.

The braking-member 45 or 46 is effectively restrained against rotation whenever the balls 4| or 42 are caused to effect torque-transmission from the ring 2: or ,24 to the housing A, for then the ring 23 or 24, by means of the bearing 25 or 25 is caused to bias the braking-member 45 or 46 into frictional engagement with the housingmembers I or 2 of the housing A. It follows that,

the braking-members 45, 45, being connected to the drive-shaft C and the driven shaft B, by means of the links 52, 53, as has been described,

are caused to effectively restrain the drive-shaft The device is susceptible to many and. varied.

applications. Particularly, it is highly adapted to be employed in connecton with automotive steering-gears, the steering wheel of the vehicle being connected to the drive-shaft C and the steering linkage being connected, through a suitable reduction gear, with the driven-shaft B.

As will be understood, in steering an automobile certain vibration forces occur responsive to road shock, the wind, and shifting of the weight of the car, which normally tend to impede the steering of the automobile. Such vibration forces are resisted by the device in co-operation. with, and controlled by, the steering wheel, which acts in the following manner:

In such use, referring to Figure 2, let it be supposed, for example, that such vibration forces tend to rotate the driven-shaft B counterclockwise against a controlling or, as may be said, a

counteracting force from the drive-shaft C,

whereupon, the balls 21, responsive to torquetransmission between the counteracting driveshaft C and the driven-shaft B, are caused to effect a torque-responsive outward pressure of the shoe 29 against the ring 23, as has been described, for, in turn, effecting frictional engagement between the driven-shaft B and the-ring 23.

The counterclockwise rotatory bias of I the driven-shaft B, thus, transmitted to the ring 23, tends to roll the balls 4! outwardly of the pockets 31 thereof for wedging each ball 4| between the walls of its pocket 31 and the washer I, so that theballs 4| are caused to effectively transmit such counterclockwise rotatory bias of the driven-shaft B, from. the ring 23 to the housing A. The springs 39, it will be understood, normally effecting such wedging action, so that thering 23 will have very little or substantially no movement.

It follows that, by reason of such torquetransmission from the ring 23 to the housing A, the braking-member 45 will be effectively biased into frictional engagement with the housingmember I of the housing A, as has been'described, for, in turn, restraining the drive-shaft C and the driven-shaft B against rotation, it being noted that the braking-member 45 is solidly connected to the drive-shaft C and the drivenshaft B, by means of the link 52, in a clockwise direction. So that, under the. influence of the frictional restraint and torque-transmission of the various parts of the device, the driven-shaft B is effectively restrained against rotation in its biased direction. v

Against such counterclockwise rotatory bias of the driven-shaft B, however, theballs 28 have shaft C and the driven-shaft B, cause the shoes 30 to become frictionally engaged with the ring 24, the balls 42 are caused to effect torquetransmission from the ring 24 to the housing A, and the driven-shaft B is again prevented from taking further rotational movement, substantially in the manner previously set forth.

It will be seen, however, again forexample, that if such vibration forces tend to rotate the drivenshaft B counterclockwise against a controlling or counteracting rotative bias from the drive-shaft C for restraining the driven-shaft B against rotation, as has been described, and then the controlling or clockwise rotative bias of the driveshaft 0 is increased until itis greater than the counterclockwise rotative bias of the drivenshaft B. That the drive-shaft .C, due to this i change in its rotative bias or, as may be said, due

to the torsional balance between the drive-shaft C and the driven-shaft B, the braking-member 45, will be yieldingly disconnected from the driveshaft C and the driven-shaft B by means of the spring 50, and the rotative bias of the ring 23 will be clockwise, against which the .balls 4| have no restraining effect, since the balls 4i tend to roll inwardly in the pockets 3!- thereof for releasing the ring'23, for, in turn, eflecting unrestrained torque-transmission from the driveshaft C to the driven-shaft B.

Likewise,if the driven-shaft n is biased for clockwise"rotativemovement and the drive-shaft C has a greater'counterclockwiserotative bias, the braking-member will be yieldingly disconnected from the drive-shaft C and the drivenshaft'B. The balls 42 will roll inwardly in. the

pockets 38 thereof for releasing the ring 24, and

the drive-shaft C will again effect unrestrained torque transmission to the driven-shaftB.

A counteracting rotative bias from the driveshaft C for restraining the driven-shaft B against rotation, is effected by means of the selfenergizing effect of connecting the drive-shaft C tothe braking-members 45, 46. For, it will be noted, the more torque that is transmitted from the ring 23 or 24 to the housing A, the more effectively the braking-member 45 or 46 will be restrained for effecting a counteracting rotative bias on the drive-shaft C, which, as hereinbefore set forth, will effect more torque-transmission from the ring 23 or 24 to the housing A. The

restraint of the driven-shaft l3 being, thus, en-

ergized from within the device itself.

'It may. also be here said that, such a selfenergizing restraint of'the drive-shaft C for counteracting against rotation of the drivenshaft B, can be removed, as desired, by manipulation of the swering' wheel. It being understood, that rotation 'of the drive-shaft C will correspondingly displace the self-energizing restraint thereof.

Thus, it will be seen, motivation of the drivenshaftB by the drive-shaft C is concurrent to actuation respectively of the balls 21 or 28 by the drive-shaft C, the helix of the pockets 31, 38 being disposed so as to allow movement of the rings 23, 24in particular directions for unrestrained torque-transmission from the driveshaft C to the driven-shaft B.- The restraint of no restraining effect, yet, on reversal of the vithe driven-shaft B being; however, automatic and only to restrain the driven-shaft B against torque-transmission to the drive-shaft C.

In use and operation, it will be seen that, when applied, in connection with the conventional type of steering-gear for use on automobiles, the steering-gear can be made highly efficient, and by use of the frictional restraint of my automatic shaft brake, a high degree of irreversibility may be had, as the term is commonly applied, and yet have a high rate of steering efliciency. It will be obvious, therefore, that less physical and mental effort will be necessary to control an automobile under the various steering conditions.

It will be understood that, if desired, the braking-members 45, 45 could be connected to the drive-shaft C or the driven-shaft B by means of a suitable arrangement of ratchets or one-way clutches, and likewise that other changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the severalparts of the automatic shaft brake devices may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from' the nature and principles of my invention.

Having thus described'my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. In a device of the kind described, in combination, co-axial driving and driven shafts, automatic mechanism for restraining said driven shaft against torque-transmission to said drive shaft in either direction and, for effecting unrestrained torque-transmission from said drive shaft to said driven shaft in either direction, said mechanism including first and second rings mounted for limited revolution bodily about the co-axis of c said drive and driven shafts, oppositely acting sets of torque-transmission elements operatively connected to said drive and driven shafts and, adapted for frictional co-operation respectively with said rings, oppositely acting means disposed for restricting the motion of said rings, braking means actuable responsively to torque-transmission by said oppositely acting means, and elements adapted to connect said braking means to said drive and driven shafts.

2. In a device of the liind described, in combination, co-axial driving and driven shafts. automatic mechanism for restraining said driven shaft against torque-transmission to said drive shaft in either direction and, for effecting unrestrained torque-transmission from said drive shaft 7 to said driven shaft in either direction, said mechanism including first and second rings mounted for limited revolution bodily about the co-axis of said drive and driven shafts, two sets of shoes adapted for frictional co-operation respectively with said rings, first sets of first and second cam faces included by one of said shafts and, being op-' positely disposed with respect to each other, second sets of first and second cam faces included by said sets of shoes respectively and, being equally disposed with respect to said first sets of first and secondcam faces respectively, means including balls yieldingly positioned between said first sets of first and second cam faces and said second sets of first and second cam. faces respectively bination, co-axial driving and driven shafts, I automatic mechanism for restraining said driven shaft against torque-transmissionto said drive shaft in either direction and, for effecting unrestrained torque-transmission from said drive shaft to said driven shaft in either direction, said mechanism including first and second rings mounted for limited revolution bodily about the co-axis of said drive and driven shafts, two sets of shoes adapted for frictional co-operation respectively with said rings, first sets of first and second cam disposed with respect to said first set sets of shoes respectively and, being equally disposed with respect to said first sets of first and second cam faces respectively, means including balls yieldingly positioned between said first sets of first and second cam faces and said second sets of first and second cam faces respectively for engagement therewith, means included by the other of said shafts for selective operative engagement with said shoes, and oppositely acting one-way clutches V disposed for restricting the motion of said rings.

4. In a device of the kind described, in combination, co-axial driving and driven shafts, automatic mechanism for restraining said driven shaft against torque-transmission to said drive shaft in either direction and, for effecting unrestrained torque-transmission from said drive shaft to said driven shaft in either direction, said mechanism including first and second rings mounted for limited revolution bodily about the co-axis of said drive and driven shafts, two sets of'shoes adapted for frictional co-operation respectively with said rings, first sets of first and second cam faces included by one of said shafts and, being oppositely disposed with respect to each other, second sets of first and second cam faces included by said sets of shoes respectively and, being equally of first and second cam faces respectively, means including balls yieldingly positioned between said first sets of first and second cam faces and said second sets of first and second cam faces respectively for engagement therewith, means included by the other of said shafts for selective operative engagement with said shoes, a non-rotatable restraining member, a pair of braking elements adapted for frictional co-operation with said restraining member and, being solidly differentially connected to both of said shafts in opposite directions with respect to each other and yieldingly connected to one of said shafts in opposite directions reversed relatively thereto, and oppositely alcting one-way clutches respectively operatively connected to said braking elements and disposed for restricting the motion of said rings.

5..In a device of the kind described, in combination, co-axial driving and driven shafts, automatic mechanism for restraining said driven shaft against torque-transmission to said drive shaft in either direction and, for effecting unrestrained torque-transmission from said drive shaft to said driven shaft in either direction, said mechanism including first and second rings mounted for limited revolution bodily about the co axis of said drive and driven shafts, two sets of shoes adapted for frictional co-operation respectively with said rings, first sets of first and second cam faces included by one of said shafts and, being oppositely disposed with respect to each other, means including threaded members adapted to adjust the position of said first sets of first and second cam faces with respect to each other, second sets of first and second cam faces included by said sets of shoes respectively and, being equally disposed with respect to said first sets of first and second cam faces respectively, means including balls yieldingly positioned between saidiirstsets of firstand second cam faces and said second sets of first and second cam faces respectively for engagement therewith, means includedby the other of said shafts for selective operative engagement with said shoes, a non-rotatable restraining member, a pair of braking elements adapted for frictional co-operation with said' restraining member and, being solidly differentially connected to both of. said shafts in opposite directions with respect to each other and yieldingly connected to one of said shafts in opposite directions reversed relatively thereto, and oppositely acting one-way clutches respectively operatively connected to said braking elements and disposed for restricting the motion of said rings.

6. In a device of the kind described, in combination, co-axial driving and driven shafts, automatic mechanism for restraining said driven shaft against torque-transmission to said drive shaft in eithen direction and, for effecting unrestrained torque-transmission from said drive shaft to said driven shaft in either direction, said mechanism including first and second rings mounted for limited revolution bodily about the co-axis of said drive and driven shafts, oppo- I sitely acting sets of torque-transmission elements operatively connected to said drive and driven shafts and, adapted for frictional co-operation respectively with said rings, means including threaded members adapted to adjust the effectiveness of said sets of torque-transmission elements with respect to each other, a non-rotatable restraining member, said restraining member including a washer, a pair of helical pockets included by said first and second rings, a ball yieldingly wedged between the inner wall of each of said pockets and said washer, each of said pockets .being adapted to effect torque-transmission by said balls to said restraining member in one way only and in opposite directions with respect to the other and a pair of braking elements respectively actuable responsively to torque-transmission by said balls and, adapted for frictional co-operation with said restraining member, said braking elements being solidly differentially con- 8. In a device of the'kind described. in combination, co-axial driving and driven shafts, automatic mechanism for restraining said driven shaft against torque-transmission to said drive shaft in either direction and, for effecting unrestrained torque-transmission from, said drive shaft to said driven shaft in either direction, said mechanism including first and second rings mounted for limited revolution bodily about the co-axis of said drive and driven shafts, oppositely acting sets of torque-transmission elements operatively connected to said drive and driven shafts and, adapted for frictional co-operation respectively with said rings, means including threaded members adapted to adjust the effectiveness of said sets of torque-transmission elements with respect to each other, a non-rotatable restraining member, a pair of braking elements adapted for frictional co-operation with said restraining member and, being solidly differentially connect-' ed to said drive and driven shafts in opposite directions with respect to each other and yieldingly connected to one of said shafts in opposite directions reversed relatively thereto, and oppositely nected to both of said shafts in opposite directions with respect to each other and yieldingly connected to one of said shafts in opposite direc- ,tions reversed relatively thereto.

'7. In a device of the kind described, in combination, co-axial driving and driven shafts, automatic mechanism for restraining said driven shaft against torque-transmission to said drive shaft in either direction and, for effecting unrestrained torque-transmission from saiddrive shaft to said driven shaft in either direction, said mechanism including first and second rings mounted for limited revolution bodily about the co-axis of said drive and driven shafts, oppositely acting sets of torque-transmission elements operatively connected to said drive and driven shafts and, adapted for-frictional co-operation respectively with said rings, a non-rotatable restraining member, a pair of braking elements adapted for frictional co-operation with said restraining member and, being solidly differentially connected to both of said shafts in opposite directions with respect to each other and yieldingly connected to one of said shafts in opposite directions reversed relatively thereto, and oppositely acting one-way clutches respectively operatively connected to said braking elements and disposed for restricting the motion of said rings.

acting one-way clutches respectively operatively connected to said braking elements and disposed for restricting the'motion of said rings.

9. In a device of the kind described, in combination, co-axial driving and driven shafts, automatic mechanism for restraining said driven shaft against torque-transmission to said drive shaft in either direction and, for effecting unrestrained torque-transmission from said drive shaft to said driven shaft in either direction, said mechanism including first and second rings mounted for limited revolution bodily about the co-axis of said drive and driven shafts, two sets of shoes in contact respectively with said rings, means for yieldingly separating one of said sets of shoes from the other of said sets of shoes, said sets of shoesbeing adjustably connected to said drive and driven shafts, in a manner to alternatively effect frictional engagement between said driven shaft and one or the other of said shaft against torque-transmission to said drive shaft in either direction and, for effecting unrestrained torque-transmission from said drive shaft to said driven shaft in either direction, said mechanism including first and second rings mounted for limited revolution bodily about the co-axis of said drive and driven shafts, two sets of shoes in contact respectively with said'rings, means for yieldingly separating one of said sets of shoes from the other of said sets of shoes, said sets of shoes being adjustably connected to said drive and driven shafts, in a manner to alternatively effect frictional engagement between said driven shaft and one or the other of said rings responsively to torque-transmission between said drive and driven shafts, a non-rotatable restraining member, a pair of braking elements adapted for frictional co-operation with saidrestraining member and, being solidly differentially connected to both of said shafts'in opposite directions with respect to each other and yieldingly connected to one'of said shafts in opposite directions reversed relatively thereto, and oppositely acting one-way clutches respectively operatively connected to said braking elements and disposed for restricting the motion of said rings.

11. In adevice of the kind described, in combination, co-axial driving and driven shafts, au-

tomatic mechanism for restraining said driven of shoes from the other of said sets of shoes, said sets of shoes being adjustably connected to said drive and driven shafts, in a manner to alternatively effect frictional engagement between said driven shaft and one or the other of said rings responsively to torque-transmission between said drive and driven shafts, a non-rotatable restraining member, a pair of braking elements adapted to co-operate with said restraining member for restraining said drive and driven shafts against rotation, and oppositely acting one-way clutches respectively operatively connected to said braking elements and disposed for restricting the motion of said rings.

VERNON KINSER. 

